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“After I almost drowned, I decided I would never again be weaker than water, so I became a lifeguard. On my first day of training, my instructor told me that there are going to be times when you'll see someone in trouble. You're going to want to rush in there and do whatever you can to save them, but you have to stop yourself. Because there are some people you can't save. Cause those people will thrash and struggle, and try to take you down with them.”
— Ana Spanakopita, BoJack Horseman
Great for moody television, but that seems like horrible advice for lifeguards lol
I know there's a phenomenon of a drowning person flailing and bringing the lifeguard down with them, but I'm not sure you can tell from the shore that that's gonna happen
Thats also what the big floaty thing is for. Life gaurds are very good swimmers.
You'd also think that a lifeguard would be specifically trained to work with this, and also equipped with some floatation device to help
you won't be able to tell, but at least when I was taught ages ago, they advised to call out verbally before approaching, and then circle around to approach from the back to prevent them pushing you under in an attempt to draw a breath. and that's after trying to find other ways to save them than getting in yourself
When I lifeguarded we were taught to protect ourselves as well. Not just approach cautiously but physically keep people from drowning you and be able to stay out if reach when necessary.
I was told it was okay to knock someone OUT if it meant saving their life and protecting your own.
Reach, throw, row, go is what we were taught when I was a kid.
Use a stick or something for them to grab if you're close enough
Throw something buoyant attached to a rope to tow them back
Row out in a boat and use a paddle/buoy/life jacket for them to grab and tow them back, especially if in a canoe, they'll capsize you trying to get in.
Finally, if nothing else works, go and do the stuff you said
As a former lifeguard, and an EMT, "do not go unless safe" is not only good advice, it's basically drilled into you constantly.
It's far too easy to get into the "I can save anyone" mindset and hurt yourself.
Sometimes you are off shift and don't have the proper personal safety equipment. Sometimes the patient is actively violent. Sometimes the situation is such that going out yourself just creates two patients.
You ALWAYS, stop and look at the situation and think "scene safe?" Before doing ANYTHING for a rescue.
Sure, most city pool lifeguards are in a super controlled situation, and they have floatation devices and everything needed to help, but you should still take that two seconds to think before you go.
That's really tragic. I can't even imagine how horrible it must have been for everyone involved.
Like, I know I can't swim for shit, but I also wouldn't be able to just watch someone drown.
Trying to save a drowning person is incredibly dangerous, a panicking person will grab on and flail and pull you under until you are too exhausted to stay afloat yourself, even if you are a strong swimmer.
That said...I don't think I would be able to just stand and watch either, even knowing the above.
I recall being taught to dive if this happens. They'll let go. I've never had to test this strategy.
Paradoxically, this kind of stuff makes me kind of glad I'm a terrible swimmer. Like, I would never jump into a river to save a drowning person but at the same time I don't have to feel bad about it because I know that I wouldn't be able to help that way, and instead of one casualty you'd just have two.
(I would of course try to call for help, look for ways/tools to pull them out etc.)
Not "The Ohio River" but "AN Ohio River, namely the Scioto". Two different rivers.
If I jumped in to save a drowning person all that would happen is two people would drown.
As far as I know there’s not a strong current in that area either. It’s the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir. According to another article there was a “language barrier” which around here is probably Spanish speakers but honestly could be any nationality. There is a strong Asian community nearby and a ton of others.
I am going to go out on a limb and say alcohol was involved. If that many sober adults were present, one would have pulled out a phone to record it. Seriously though. RIP, and best hopes for those kids.